An image of the huge silver model of the Horticultural Hall made by Alberto Endweiss for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893:
HORTICULTURAL HALL IN SILVER FILIGREE
The reproduction of the Horticultural Hall in silver filigree in the north end of that building is a very fine specimen of this class of work. The model is perfect in every detail and as a work of art is second to none at the Exposition.
The model is 11 feet 2 inches in length, 3 feet 2½ inches in width, and 2 feet 9¾ inches in height. It took 110 pounds of pure silver to construct the model, and required twelve expert workmen thirteen months, working 18 hours a day, to complete it.
The model was manufactured by A. M. Endweiss, of Monterey, Mexico, specially for the World's Fair. This gentleman is the manufacturer of the celebrated Mexican gold and silver filigree souvenir spoons, card receivers, breast pins, and all description of ornaments.
Source: World's Columbian Exposition Illustrated - November 1893
An image of Royal Elisha Robbins (b.1824-d.1902), for 45 years treasurer of the American Waltham Watch Co., and senior member of Robbins & Appleton of New York:
An image of the Fawcett Drawing School at Newark, New Jersey:
This image was published in 1910.
The Fawcett Drawing School of Newark, N. J., is the only public institution in the country where die cutting and sinking is taught. The die making class, which has been in existence about two years, was organized as a branch of the general jewelry class of about 70 scholars, who are taking up the study of jewelry manufacture. About 40 pupils are also studying the die sinking branch of the business. The pupils are mainly young men and women, with the first in the majority. Occasionally older men who wish to learn the die sinking business take advantage of the course. An excellent set of die sinking tools is furnished to each pupil and the steel used in the work is sold to the scholars at a minimum price. A drop hammer forms part of the shop equipment, together with a small hardening furnace. The pupils are required to make their own designs usually. Since starting the die making class some of the pupils have given up the study of the general line of jewelry manufacture and have confined themselves to die sinking alone.
The classes are in direct charge of August F. Richter, a practical jeweler, and Henry Grasmuk, who is a practical die sinker, specializes in teaching that branch. The drawing school is open only for night classes and the instructors spend their day hours in working at their trades. No set time is arranged for a course in die sinking in the class, as some of the pupils attend only once or twice a week, and it is the practice in the school to allow the pupil to attend as long as he or she wishes. If at any time the pupil is considered by the instructor an accomplished die sinker the instructor will certify to his or her ability. A number of the pupils have already obtained excellent positions as designers and die sinkers with local manufacturing establishments.
The instructors in the school also conduct an arts and crafts class, where work is done on copper and brass sheets. Many pupils who are students in the die sinking class are also enrolled in the arts and crafts class, where such articles as brass and copper finger bowls, jardinieres, candelabra and similar artistic metal products are made.
Trunk loads of silverware being sorted by the woman of Cincinnati. The silverware was donated in response to an appeal known as the Thimble Fund, the object of which was to raise funds for the benefit of American soldiers.